Page 58 of The Oracle's Journey

I nodded. “I think we have a good start on this plan. You will obviously have to manage your guard. Make sure you communicate only in writing, and nobody leaves a message unburned after it’s been read. Ozanna and I will plant the seeds for our plan to leave Emma behind. Does your uncle understand any Elvish?”

“He’s familiar with it, but not what one would consider fluent. And another thing to consider, your leaving may be necessary, anyway. I’m almost certain, in light of this new information, that my uncle will send for your kinsmen to get rid of you. He is very upset that you’re here.”

“That’s an excellent point.” The thought of Dulanzo taking Oz along with us gripped my heart like an icy vice. It forced me to ask something Nicolas may not agree to. “Could I ask you a personal favor?” I hoped that Oz wouldn’t hear me over the hiss of rushing water rolling up and down the shore.

Nicolas cocked his head and eyed me. “You may ask.”

“If my kinsmen come for us before we can act on our plan, would you please look out for my mate? I hope they’ll overlook her from a distance since she passes for human, but she may try to stop them. Could you …?”

“Say no more,” Nicolas nodded. “I understand. And yes, I will do what I can to keep them from taking her too.”

“Thank you,” I said, my throat tight.

Nicolas laid a reassuring hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

“Maybe we should head back,” Nicolas said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Emmelina and I need to get ready for dinner.”

CHAPTER 22

Nicolas

Returning to the chateau, I wrote out my instructions for the guardsmen and met with Guille. After we discussed some trivial household business, I handed him a piece of paper I claimed were the names of people that hadn’t paid their taxes. “Read over this, please.”

Guille’s expression gradually changed from confusion, to comprehension, to anger as he read the words.

Ubras has been spying on us through mirrors hidden by magic. They’re all through the house and surrounding lands. I do not know how far out he has installed them. Emmelina and I will be escaping to seek help from my brother. I need the guards loyal to me to allow us the space to do so. The elves will be leaving and taking us with them to Alenmur. Once we are away, Emmelina’s maids must be spirited away to safety. Make preparations and get back to me in writing. No spoken word can be trusted as private. All written communication should be burned after it is read.

Guille nodded. “Yes, your Grace, this list looks manageable. I’ll see to it.” Then he turned to the nearest brasier and tossed the paper in.

That done, I returned to my chambers to clean up after the afternoon’s ride. I prepared for dinner with my beloved, though my heart was heavy with my uncle’s apparent betrayal. As angry as the old man could make me, he had been my mentor and father figure leading up to adulthood. The child in my heart still loved him and despaired. I dared not show that grief, though. I couldn’t risk his discovering our intentions.

I threw myself into thinking about Emmelina and how we would finally get the time to speak, just the two of us. I’d planned this dinner in anticipation of her arrival, so it was just a matter of implementing it. Our courtship had happened on a different plane of existence, or something to that effect, so we were fairly comfortable with one another. Tonight, though, we would have the watchful eyes of staff and a chaperone on us. I just prayed that the matron, Judith, was well enough to serve as chaperone instead of Lobikno. Not that I was one to be intimidated, but the elf had watched me closely the previous evening, as though lying in wait for me to do something inappropriate.

I entered the rarely-used private dining room earlier than the others to ensure all was well. The attendants arrived, and Guille stationed himself just outside the dining room. Only then could I shut away my worry about Ubras to enjoy the company of my betrothed.

When she came into the room, I nearly forgot how to breathe. She was so lovely. Her braided hair glistened in the firelight, her gown the same soft pink as her lips. She blushed when I bent over her hand and kissed her knuckle. Emmelina was … beautiful beyond words. It wrenched my heart and good sense, and, for a moment, I panicked.

A literal goddess.

And I’m to marry her.

What do you say to a goddess on a first date?

Not knowing what else to do, I spoke from my heart. “You’re always lovely, but tonight …” I swallowed hard. “… I’m struck speechless. Emmelina, you’re a vision.”

She smiled, her amber eyes twinkling. “Thank you, Nicolas. You look dashing this evening.”

I pulled a seat out for her and took a deep breath in relief as she sat down. In that moment, the panic passed. I sat opposite her and noticed Ozanna sitting quietly in a far corner of the dining room, dutifully watching out for her lady.

After clearing my throat, I said, “Many of our local delicacies come from the sea, and I asked the cooks to prepare some of them for us tonight.”

An attendant brought the first course of shellfish. The texture on some of these could be off putting, and I worried for a moment that she wouldn’t like them. I explained what each was, how they are gathered, and how they’re prepared. I’d spent hours talking to this woman in our dream space, but now that she was here, nattering on about seafood seemed to be all the conversation I could manage. I encouraged her to try a scallop. She popped the bite sized morsel into her mouth and chewed with a thoughtful expression.

“Oh, my!” she declared as a charming smile lit her face. “It practically melts in the mouth.”

“You should try the lobster tail then.” I pointed to where it was on the tray, too excited to remember my manners. “A quick dip in the butter sauce before you eat it.”

She hummed and licked those rose petal lips that I wanted to kiss so badly.They continued tempting me while she asked questions about sea life over the rest of the meal. Even while I answered, I could almost feel Ubras’ shadow at my back, undoubtedly spying on us from his laboratory in the rearmost tower. The thought had loomed over every word I’d uttered through the day.

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